Lupopo celebrate CAF Champions League ‘victory’ over Pirates

FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo have reacted to the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) ruling that has gone in the Congolese club’s favour, following Orlando Pirates’ complaint.

The South African Premier Soccer League giants complained to the continental football governing body, challenging the eligibility of the Linafoot Ligue 1 champions’ coach Guy Bukasa to preside over CAF Champions League qualifying round matches against the Buccaneers in October.

The Soweto giants filed the complaint after losing 4-5 on post-match penalties to Lupopo. The two titans were deadlocked at three-all over two legs in the Champions League second preliminary round ties.

The DR Congo side won the first home leg 3-0 in October before Pirates overturned the tables by a similar margin in the reverse fixture in Johannesburg. The post-match penalties broke the tie, and Pirates did not take matters lying down.

What was the basis for Pirates’ complaint against Lupopo?

Now, CAF has dismissed Pirates’ grounds of complaints, a verdict Lupopo has, through a statement, described as an administrative victory.

“Saint-Eloi Lupopo Football Club has secured a decisive administrative victory following the decision made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF),” reads the statement.

“This one has dismissed the complaint of Orlando Pirates and confirmed the eligibility of players Molia and Kashala, who are regularly registered. CAF has also clarified that coach Guy Bukasa’s presence on the bench during the game cannot be subject to a sanction against Saint Eloi Lupopo Football Club.”

“However, the Disciplinary Jury has confirmed coach Guy Bukasa Misakabu’s six-month suspension in the U-20 case, coupled with a fine.”

Why Lupopo are also happy with CAF’s verdict

The Lubumbashi-based club also celebrated CAF’s decision to slap Pirates with a $5,000 fine for depriving the second leg visitors of the necessary accreditations and $20,000 for spraying chemicals in the Congolese team’s locker room.

“This decision comforts the victory achieved on the field and strengthens our club’s position in the competition. FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo will continue to defend its interests with the greatest determination,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Congolese side has jetted in South Africa for yet another Champions League mission, this time around against Mamelodi Sundowns in a Group C match scheduled for Saturday.

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